Drive without the air suspension

[Purpleteeth]

I have a 1995 Continental that I think the air suspension may fail on soon. I don't know if it is worth spending the money on to replace it or even the strut-coil replacement solution. My question is can these cars be driven reasonably around town with the suspension sitting basically flat. Can one steer around a corner without the 225/60/16 tires tearing the fenders off? Can one even drive straight ahead without doing major damage immediately? If and when it fails completely, it will either be fixed ( apparently very expensive and probably not worth it, parted out ( which I don't really want to do cause I bought it to enjoy it's style and class ) or drive it as a low rider. That may look real cool but may not be functionable.
Does anyone have any experience driving 95-02 basically with the trunk switch off and the car much lower than it's suppose to?

[ninemmeter]

I have a friend's 92 that the air does not work on at all.After moving it around my gravel driveway a couple of times I would guarantee that there is no way I would even think about driving it without either fixing the air ride or putting regular sprung struts on it.In the process of beating me senseless,I'm sure it would tear something up on the car.Since the air ride is high dollar,I am going to put regular struts on it and on a 91 that I myself own.Go ahead and keep the old car as they are nice to drive.

[Negatoro]

My $0.02:

Don't drive the car with susp. bottomed.
Don't go coil conversion.

These air systems are relatively simple. Proper diagnosis is necessary before you throw $$$ at the car hoping to fix it. Fixing the stock system will cost the same [if not less than] as converting to coils the right [read: safe] way.

I could go on and on, but I'll direct you to a better source.

Click here for an article on 90-97 towncar air susp. diagnosis. Then register yourself at LincolnsOnLine, and be a very active member. These people are great!

-Mark T.